Nineteen years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, a powerful documentary is shedding light on the storm’s enduring scars—especially for the city’s Black youth. 🎥 Katrina Babies, directed by Edward Buckles Jr., who survived the disaster at 13, unveils the untold stories of children who lived through the catastrophe—and the systemic neglect that followed.
A Storm That Exposed Deep Cracks
When Katrina hit in 2005, it killed 1,800+ people, displaced a million, and caused $100B+ in damage. But for New Orleans’ African-American community, the real storm was just beginning. 💔 U.S. Census data reveals poverty rates for Black children in the city remain 10 times higher than for white children today.
‘We Were Left Behind’
Buckles spent 7 years interviewing peers who, like him, grew up navigating PTSD and a recovery effort that overlooked their needs. \"We didn’t get the same mental health support or resources as white kids,\" he says. Many still grapple with trauma—haunted by a rebuilding process that prioritized tourism over their neighborhoods. 🏙️➡️🌑
A Generation’s Cry for Justice
Katrina Babies isn’t just about survival—it’s a stark reminder of how race shapes disaster response. \"Katrina showed America’s true face,\" Buckles argues. \"It’s about who gets saved… and who gets forgotten.\" 🌊✊
As climate crises escalate globally, the film asks: Whose stories will we prioritize next?
